Take a walk on the dead side. The largest folk movement in human history is taking place on the U.S./Mexican border. Nobody talks about it. This exodus is the result of the failure of the U.S. and Mexico as nations. Nobody talks about it. This slaughter house fries and mangles at least 400 people a year. Nobody talks about it. The Devil's Highway is coming to Main Street. Open your ears and eyes, wash the blood over your hands and read Luis Urrea. We gotta talk. Now.
Where to buy: I always ask that you first support your local independent bookstore. If you’d like to buy online, I’ve included links to the major online merchants:
The Devil's Highway
Available in hardcover, paperback,
for your e-reader, your Kindle,
and as an audiobook, read by Luis
Finalist, 2005 Pulizer Prize finalist in non-fiction
Winner Lannan Literary Award
In May 2001, a group of men attempted to cross the border into the desert of southern Arizona, through the deadliest region of the continent, a place called the Devil's Highway. Fathers and sons, brothers and strangers, entered a desert so harsh and desolate that even the Border Patrol is afraid to travel through it. Twelve came back out.
Now, Luis Alberto Urrea tells the story of this modern odyssey. He takes us back to the small towns and unpaved cities south of the border, where the poor fall prey to dreams of a better life and the sinister promises of smugglers. We meet the men who will decide to make the crossing along the Devil's Highway and, on the other side of the border, the men who are ready to prevent them from reaching their destination. Urrea reveals exactly what happened when the twenty-six headed into the wasteland, and how they were brutally betrayed by the one man they had trusted most. And from that betrayal came the inferno, a descent into a world of cactus spines, labyrinths of sand, mountains shaped like the teeth of a shark, and a screaming sun so intense that even at midnight the temperature only drops to 97 degrees. And yet, the men would not give up. The Devil's Highway is a story of astonishing courage and strength, of an epic battle against circumstance. These twenty-six men would look the Devil in the eyes - and some of them would not blink.
From Luis
About The Devil's Highway
My heavy metal album.
I like it that the gorgeous cover looks like a Pink Floyd record.
Almost won the Pulitzer.
It weighs heavy on my heart.
Almost impossible to discuss it anymore.
The ghosts of the forgotten enter the room sometimes.
The book has made me many friends—some enemies.
Border Patrol agents sometimes give me gifts.
We all want a fair shake.
We all need a witness.
WWJD: Who Would Jesus Deport?
related content
For signed first editions
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Tony and Pam are dear friends and their ranch in Colorado is home to my signed first editions and collectibles.
contact
For all media inquiries, speaking engagements or interviews…
To reach Luis directly: luis@luisurrea.com
Book club members have been some of my most enthusiastic and careful readers. I’m thrilled to share my work with you, answer your questions and tell you some of the stories behind the stories. This is our spot, just for us. Here, we can chat: If I’m nearby, I’ll come and visit your club. Otherwise, we can Skype, talk over the phone or email. Sometimes, I’ll send surprises or hold contests.
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